The Legacy of Chancellor James Kent, who is buried in Beacon!

Did you know that one of the most important figures in the history of American jurisprudence is buried in Beacon? Chancellor James Kent, whose original 1826 Commentaries on American Law became the formative American lawbook and has been published in 15 editions since, rests in St. Luke’s Cemetery on Wolcott Avenue in a once-derelict grave that was rediscovered by Beacon Historical Society member Mary Colbert more than a decade ago. Mary’s discovery led to its restoration through a partnership between Kent’s descendants, our Historical Society and the Historical Society of the New York Courts in 2016.

We welcomed retired New York Supreme Court Justice and Chief Administrative Judge the Hon. Albert M. Rosenblatt, who is also a past president of the Historical Society of the New York Courts, to speak about Kent’s importance and impact.

If you missed it, enjoy the program by clicking on the button below: